title: Evaluation of a rapid cholera response activity--Nyanza Province, Kenya, 2008.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In response to recurrent cholera outbreaks in Nyanza Province, Kenya, a local nongovernmental organization assisted the Ministry of Health by providing cholera education activities to some cholera-affected communities. We evaluated the impact on cholera prevention knowledge and practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  In November-December 2008, we conducted a cross-sectional household survey and tested stored water for chlorine in 6 cholera-affected enumeration areas (intervention-EAs) where response activities had occurred between March-September 2008, and 6 comparison-EAs with no known reports of cholera outbreaks or response activities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We enrolled 358 individuals from intervention-EAs and 365 from comparison-EAs. Overall, >80% knew cholera symptoms and over 60% knew that water treatment prevented diarrhea; <20% had chlorine residual in stored water. More intervention-EA respondents than comparison-EA respondents recalled a cholera outbreak in their community (52% vs 19%, P < .0001), and of those, 51% versus 39%, respectively, had attended a cholera response event. Detectable chlorine residuals in stored water were found in a higher percentage of intervention-EA and comparison-EA event attendees (21% and 25%, respectively) than nonattendees (17% and 8%, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a gap between knowledge and practice of water treatment as a cholera preventive measure. Cholera event attendance may have modestly motivated increased household water treatment.
authors.affiliation: Epidemic Intelligence Service, Office of Workforce and Career Development.
authors.forename: Kashmira
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Date
authors.forename: Bobbie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Person
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nygren
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Were
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kola
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ayers
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Quick
mesh_terms: D002771:Cholera / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D054879:Halogenation; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014881:Water Supply
keywords: attitudes and practices; cholera; cholera response; hand-washing; impact; knowledge; water treatment